Project Update: Bats in NYC Parks and Adopt-a-Species Program
At Gotham Bat Conservancy, we’re passionate about protecting bats and preserving their habitats, especially in our hometown of New York City. Over the past several years, we’ve been hard at work monitoring bat populations in some of NYC’s most beloved parks, and we’re excited to share updates on this ongoing project! We also want to introduce you to a new way you can directly support our conservation efforts—our Adopt-a-Species program!
What is the Adopt-a-Species Program?
Our Adopt-a-Species program allows you to symbolically adopt one of New York City’s native bat species and contribute to their conservation. For as little as $5 a month, you can help fund vital bat conservation initiatives, including habitat preservation, research, and public education. While your donation is symbolic, the impact is very real.
Your support will go towards projects such as:
Bat habitat restoration and protection: Ensuring that bats have safe places to roost and forage in NYC’s urban landscapes.
Monitoring bat populations: Tracking the health and numbers of bat species in city parks and natural areas.
Public education programs: Raising awareness about the importance of bats to our ecosystems and dispelling myths about these misunderstood creatures.
How It Works
When you sign up to adopt a bat species, you’ll receive:
A digital adoption certificate: Personalized with your chosen species, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
A species fact sheet: Learn more about the specific bat species you’re supporting and its role in the environment.
Regular updates on our conservation work: Stay informed about the progress of our bat monitoring and habitat preservation efforts in New York City.
By joining the Adopt-a-Species program, you’re not only helping Gotham Bat Conservancy continue our crucial work but also becoming part of a community dedicated to protecting bats for future generations.
Featured Bat Species
Here are a few of the bat species you can symbolically adopt through our program:
Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus): One of the most common species in North America, though now severely threatened by White-Nose Syndrome.
Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus): A resilient species often found in urban areas, known for their role in controlling insect populations.
Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus): A small, solitary bat currently facing significant population declines due to White-Nose Syndrome.
These are just a few of the species you can choose to support. Each bat plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem in NYC and beyond.
Why Your Support Matters
Bats in New York City face numerous challenges, from habitat loss to the devastating effects of White-Nose Syndrome. Our recent monitoring efforts in NYC parks have shown that many bat species, including endangered and threatened species, are still active and essential in controlling insect populations, but they need our help to survive and thrive in an increasingly urbanized world.
Your monthly $5 contribution helps ensure that bats continue to have safe spaces to live and feed. It also helps us gather important data on how bats are adapting to the challenges of urban living, which in turn informs our conservation strategies.
2024 NYC Parks Research Season Summary
This year GBC continued our acoustic monitoring throughout all five buroughs of New York City: the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. We’ve continued to have significant findings, observing endangered and threateend species in all five boroughs. This includes observing the Little Brown Bat (Myotis Lucifugus) in Marine Park, Forest Park, Van Cortlandt Park, Riverside Park, and the William T. Davis Wildlife Preserve. Additionally, the Tricolor Bat (Perimyotis subflavus) was observed in Marine Park, Forest Park, and the William T. Davis Wildlife Preserve. We also had an observation of the Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) in Van Cortlandt Park. Follow us on social media and check out Our Findings page on our website for a complete report of our findings soon to come!
